Mask of Zorro

December 11, 2004

Rated: PG-13 Runtime: 127 min Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

DVD Quick Take

We’ve been swerved! We skipped this one at the theater because we thought it was a chick flick based on the presence of Antonio Banderas and the clips in the trailers. But we were quite surprised to find a decent little swashbuckling flick when we checked out the DVD. Yes, there is some mild romantacism to keep the females entertained, but this actually is a darned decent modern day Zorro flick. We love Anthony Hopkins, and he does an absolute outstanding job as the older Zorro.

The story is the same as so many of the Zorro tales. We have Zorro attempting to save his people from tyranny. And as is often the case with these masked men tales, we also witness the changing of the Zorro guard. The older retiring Zorro, played by Hopkins, mentors his young protege, played by Banderas, until he is ready to assume the role of the famous masked man himself.

The quality of this DVD is also outstanding. The picture and sound quality are both absolutely top notch. If there was a bit more action and a bit less plot, this would make a good reference quality DVD for showing off your home theater.

But alas there is actually a storyline here, but it’s not bad. It’s not on par with something like Raiders of the Lost Ark. And we do hate the PG-13 rating since we again didn’t get to see Catherine Zeta-Jones tah tahs. However, we did genuinely enjoy this movie. Combine that with the quality of the DVD and this one is worth owning if you’re in the mood for a good swash buckling Zorro yarn.

Posted by Billy Bob | Filed Under 4 Stars, Action, Anthony Hopkins, Antonio Banderas, Catherine Zeta-Jones, DVD, PG-13